Red Bull eager to build on vital 'first moment' after crash setback

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has hailed the spirit inside the team as it commences a new era.

The Milton Keynes-based squad's Barcelona shakedown event took a knock on Tuesday when Isack Hadjar collided with the barrier late in the day.

Up to that point, Red Bull had been enjoying a positive test with no major issues seemingly appearing with its new power unit.

Red Bull has built its own engine for the first time this year, leaving Mekies proud of the work that has gone into making the situation possible.

“In terms of what we were expecting from the power unit on these first couple of days, I can only repeat how proud we are of everybody back at base to have managed to give us something that we could actually run with,” he said.

“Of course, it's very early days and nothing is perfect but we could start to learn and work as one team.

“That was a huge satisfaction. It doesn't change the size of the journey in front of us, but certainly it's the first moment that everybody in Milton Keynes should be proud of.”

Red Bull has not yet confirmed when it will return to the track, but has to choose between today [Thu] and Friday as it has just one day of running remaining this week.

Despite the setback of the crash, Mekies asserted the team is operating with a positive attitude as it prepares for the new season.

“So early days, but great energy in the team,” he said. “Great spirits between Max, Isack and the whole team.

“We just can't wait to have the next possibility to run. It's something we are trying to analyse now and hopefully we get some answers a bit later on.”